Southern California -- this just in

Questions over LAX jet bridge collapse that injured two

Officials on Thursday were trying to determine why a jet bridge collapsed at Los Angeles International Airport, injuring two people on an American Airlines flight.

American Airlines said it planned to immediately inspect all its jet bridges -- the motorized, flexible passenger ramps that connect terminal gates to parked aircraft -- at LAX.

Ian Gregor, a Federal Aviation Administration spokesman in Los Angeles, said the agency would investigate any damage to the aircraft involved.

The captain and a passenger on Flight 557 were injured as they exited the Boeing 737 about 6:50 p.m. Wednesday, said airline spokesman Rhonda Rathje.

"They were stepping on the platform closest to the jet bridge," she told The Times.

It was unclear what caused the platform to collapse. Rathje said she did not know whether the airline or LAX was responsible for inspecting and maintaining the jet bridges.

"We're looking into everything right now," she said, "and should know more in a couple days."

The passenger and captain were taken to Daniel Freeman Memorial Hospital in Marina del Rey and reportedly in fair condition. Officials said both fell at least 10 feet to the tarmac and complained of pain to their ankles, backs and necks.

The passenger was expected to be released Wednesday night, Rathje said.

The flight, which originated in Boston and had a stopover in Chicago, was carrying 107 passengers and crew members. The plane was damaged and towed to a hangar.

Officials on Thursday were trying to determine why a skybridge collapsed at Los Angeles International Airport, injuring two people on an American Airlines flight.

American Airlines said it planned to immediately inspect all its skybridges, the motorized, flexible ramps that connect terminal gates to parked aircraft, at LAX.Ian Gregor, a Federal Aviation Administration spokesman in Los Angeles, said the agency would investigate any damage to the aircraft involved.

The captain and a passenger on Flight 557 were injured as they exited the Boeing 737 about 6:50 p.m. Wednesday, said airline spokesman Rhonda Rathje.

"They were stepping on the platform closest to the jet bridge," she told The Times.

It was unclear what caused the platform to collapse. Rathje said she did not know whether the airline or LAX was responsible for inspecting and maintaining the jet bridges.

"We're looking into everything right now," she said, "and should know more in a couple days."

The passenger and captain were taken to Daniel Freeman Memorial Hospital in Marina del Rey and listed in fair condition. Officials said both fell at least 10 feet to the tarmac and complained of pain to their ankles, backs and necks.

The passenger was expected to be released Wednesday night, Rathje said.

The flight, which originated in Boston and had a stopover in Chicago, was carrying 107 passengers and crew members. The plane was damaged and towed to a hangar.